"It is truly an honor to participate in this momentous and time honored Naval tradition, as we remember the accomplishments, warfighting attitude, contributions, and legacy of the USS Ponce and its Sailors over the last 46 years," said Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, Rear Admiral Jesse A. Wilson Jr.

Ponce is one of the oldest ships in the Navy, commissioned in 1971. After 42 years of sea service and 27 deployments, Ponce was converted from its original amphibious transport dock to an afloat forwarding staging base.

The ship was initially commissioned as the 12th and last ship in the Austin-class of amphibious transport dock ships.